gale anne hurd

We’ve known for a while now that AMC plans to take the last decent show they have left and spin it off into a second TV show so that Robert Kirkman can buy a house boat fans will see more of the zombie apocalypse. A second Walking Dead TV series? About what? How different could it be from the current one? Well by the sounds of it, it might be taking the prequel route. (more…)

In a not shocking, completely unsurprising development, AMC has just announced plans for a companion series to The Walking Dead. Never saw that one coming, right? Especially after their also just announced Breaking Bad prequel series, Better Call Saul.

This new drama is expected to air in 2015 and will follow a totally separate group of survivors from Rick’s. It’ll be executively produced by Robert Kirkman, Gale Anne Hurd and David Alpert, ensuring fans of The Walking Dead shouldn’t fear this series won’t fall in line with the tone or be of a lesser quality than the original.

As for why AMC has decided to expand on the world of The Walking Dead, AMC’s president and general manager, Charlie Collier, said, “We’d be fucking idiots not to–sorry, no. That’s me reading between the lines. What Collier actually said was, “Building on the success of the most popular show on television for adults 18-49 is literally a no-brainer.” Which has the same basic sentiment, really.

Collier added, “It’s a big world and we can’t wait to give fans another unforgettable view of the zombie apocalypse.”

Series creator and on whose whim the fate of all The Walking Dead‘s characters rests, Kirkman said of the new series,

After 10 years of writing the comic book series and being so close to the debut of our fourth, and in my opinion, best season of the TV series, I couldn’t be more thrilled about getting the chance to create a new corner of The Walking Dead universe. The opportunity to make a show that isn’t tethered by the events of the comic book, and is truly a blank page, has set my creativity racing.

I don’t know how Kirkman has managed to keep the excitement surrounding The Walking Dead going after 10 years, but a new playpen filled with new toys should definitely help.

The Walking Dead Season 4 returns October 13th. Pumped by the news of another series set in the zombie filled world? Can AMC sustain two shows with such similar premises? Are we about to hit zombie over-saturation? Or have we already?

On the heels of AMC renewing The Walking Dead for a fourth season, AMC and show-runner Glen Mazzara announced Mazzara’s exit from the show. That makes the second high level departure from The Walking Dead in just three seasons, two and a half seasons really. The first was the surprising exit of creator/original show-runner Frank Darabont early in the second season. The average life expectancy of a Show-Runner is about as bad as a secondary cast member in the show.

Today’s announcement of Mazzara’s leaving is worrisome, can the show continue to survive the changes in leadership and direction? There is no word on who will replace him and what the creative differences of opinion were. Hopefully we’ll get more once the third season has aired and Mazzara’s contract is completed, perhaps he’ll talk more freely about the subject then.

The AMC press release says:

“AMC also jointly announces with Glen Mazzara today that for future seasons, the two parties have mutually decided to part ways. Glen guided the series creatively for seasons 2 and 3. AMC is grateful for his hard work. We are both proud of our shared success.

Both parties acknowledge that there is a difference of opinion about where the show should go moving forward, and conclude that it is best to part ways. This decision is amicable and Glen will remain on for post-production on season 3B as showrunner and executive producer.”

There are also individual statements from Mazzara and The Walking Dead executive producers Robert Kirkman and Gale Anne Hurd:

Glen Mazzara:

My time as show-runner on The Walking Dead has been an amazing experience, but after I finish season 3, it’s time to move on. I have told the stories I wanted to tell and connected with our fans on a level that I never imagined. It doesn’t get much better than that. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey.

Robert Kirkman:

I am in full support of both AMC and Glen Mazzara in the decision they have come to and believe the parties came to this decision in the best interest of the future of the show. I thank Glen for his hard work and appreciate his many contributions to The Walking Dead and look forward to working with him as we complete post production on Season 3. I am also excited to begin work on another spectacular season of this show that I know means so much to so many people. This show has always been the result of a wide range of extremely talented men and women working tirelessly to produce their best work collectively. I believe the future is bright for The Walking Dead. Thank you to the fans for your continued support.

Gale Anne Hurd:

I am appreciative and grateful to Glen for his hard work on ‘The Walking Dead.’ I am supportive of AMC and Glen’s decision and know that the series is in great hands with one of the most talented and dedicated casts and crews in the business. I look forward to the show’s continued success.

The Walking Dead has reached a fever pitch. Their Season 3 panel with Robert Kirkman, Gale Anne Hurd, Andrew Lincoln, Chandler Riggs, Norman Reedus, Danai Gurira, David Morrisey, Michael Rooker, and moderated by Talking Dead host ChrisHardwick has just finished and the buzz is maddening!

To kick things off they shared the first few minutes of the season premiere airing tomorrow night on AMC at 9pm, and it stands in stark contrast to last season. Since the clip was actually shared through the live-stream of the panel I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see it on the ‘net real soon. Basically, what we saw was Rick, Carl, Daryl, and T-Dog entering a home and checking to make sure it was clear of zombies. Carl even dispatches one with a headshot! That’s right, this Carl is carrying a gun and knows how to used it. Once the house is made safe Glenn and Maggie enter followed by Herschel, Beth, Carol, and a VERY preggers Lori.

There’s been a significant jump in time since we last saw these survivors and it’s made very evident in these opening moments. There’s no dialogue, the group is moving as one, as a cohesive unit who’s only mission is to survive. After resting in the home for a few moments walkers are spotted outside and they have to book it. Silently they exit out the back, head to the vehicles, and leave.

It’s a startling opening for the season, full of tension, and works well to whet your appetite for what will be a season, “full of zombie action,” as Hardwick promises. In fact, if there was to be a theme of this panel it’s this season’s got all the zombies we were looking for last year, and then some. Just to give some hint of what they mean, Lincoln says, “there are more zombie kills in this episode than in the whole of season one.” Whoa.

With their decision to jump ahead in time by several months we’re meeting a very different group than who we left last season. In particular, Carl has likely changed the most. Riggs calls his character a “darker” one but enjoys being able to play this different version of Carl. No more, “Where’s Carl?” or “Carl, stay in the fuckin’ house!”

Speaking of Carl, I think Chandler Riggs will have a future as a teen hearthrob because there was much love for him from the surprising amount of young girls asking questions at the panel. Actually, Kirkman was a little mortified at how many kids, say around 11-13 year olds, were fans who’d watched the show and read the comic. But after the young girls fawned over Riggs, their mothers were swooning for Norman Reedus.

His is a character we’ve seen grow a lot since Merle left, and as Reedus puts it, “he’s been away from the enforcement of his big brother,” and because of it is more loyal to the group, they’re his new family. Something we’ll see explored in this season is what kind of effect Merle’s return has on Daryl, and we’ll see their relationship being tested again and again. But in place of Merle it sounds like Daryl and Rick have been forming quite the bromance, Reedus calling Rick the brother Daryl wants to have.

And what of Merle? Rooker says, “I’m a tough asshole,” and leaves it at that. But really, what more do you need to know? We’ll see what Merle’s all about as the series progresses.

Enough on our returning characters, what about the new faces? Hardwick mentions, and rightly so, there were three things people have been demanding to see ever since the show began: Michonne, The Governor, and the prison. The trailers have already promised us we’ll be seeing the prison very soon, but Michonne was tantalizing teased at the end of last season and we’re desperately awaiting seeing her in action.

Gurira is pumped as well telling us Michonne kicks so much ass in this first episode, we won’t be disappointed with her. She continues, playing the katana-wielding badass is, “an intense, brutal joy.” As she puts it, Michonne isn’t just a surviver, she’s a “thriver,” and Gurira admires how smart she is to use what she’s got around her. Like the zombies she’s keeps as “pets”, Gurira calls it, “masterful.” Hearing her talk about Michonne only make me more excited to finally get to see her. Tomorrow, get here faster!

And, The Governor. I don’t know if there’s ever been such a vile character as The Governor and everyone is in anticipation for what David Morrisey will bring to the role. Interestingly, Morrisey mentions that his Governor isn’t the same man as in the comics when we first meet him. This Governor is actually somewhere in between The Governor of Kirkman’s recent novel, The Rise of The Governor, and the man we met in the comics. I think this is going to add an interesting spin to the character, having him interact with Rick earlier on in his evolution to psychotic villain. Morrisey continues calling The Governor different, but very, “in the spirit of him.” I don’t know about you, but I’m excited to see him and the Woodbury he rules over with an iron fist.

Lastly, Kirkman promises us, “there’s a lot of dark stuff on the horizon,” and Rooker adds, “this show is just beautifully brutal.” Oh, I am pumped! Are you?

The Walking Dead returns tomorrow night on AMC at 9pm!

Make sure you stay glued to Nerd Bastards for all your NYCC coverage! More to come!

AMC has brought us the best that TV has to offer i.e: The Walking Dead, Breaking Dead, and Mad Men, and now it will get some competition as another channel brings sci-fi to your work-week. O.C.T (Occult Crimes Taskforce) graphic novel, will be getting its chance to shine on A&E. Hollywood Reporter states that Gale Anne Hurd, who is producing AMC’s hit zombie show, The Walking Dead, is on staff for this next sci-fi bombshell. If y’all aren’t paying attention to this show yet, then wait until you hear who the lead is.

Eva Mendes? Angelina Jolie? Nope and nope. Rosario Dawson, best known for her roles in Clerks II and Sin City, will be taking home the headline role. Here is the plotline for the upcoming series O.C.T:

The task force, which was established after the Civil War to make the New York City streets safe from practitioners of Black Magic, demons from another dimension and all manner of supernatural malcontents.Like the graphic novel, co-created by Dawson and David Atchison, O.C.T. will center on the character of Sophia Ortiz, a new member of the bureau who uses magic, spells, ghosts, the undead and the unnatural. At the heart of the story is an ongoing struggle between the O.C.T. detectives and an organized demon-force attempting to take over Manhattan.

After lending her image for the graphic novel, I’m not surprised that with an assured free schedule, she’d be able to play the role. I may not have have read the graphic novel, but I’m sure this kick-ass chica will be able to bring out an amazing performance. Of course, bets I’m sure will be made on whether we will see some skin. Otherwise, what are your thoughts on the addition of this sci-fi show to A&E

Good news, everyone! AMC has renewed The Walking Dead for another season. The announcement comes as no surprise, the series is quickly becoming one of the most popular on television as well as one of the most profitable for AMC. Their 90-minute season two premiere drew in, “4.8 million viewers 18-49 years old as well as 4.2 million adults 25-54. Overall it drew more 10 million viewers in 122 countries for the premiere.” So, yes, successful indeed.

Charlie Collier, President of AMC, said in his announcement,

Today we are pleased to announce that the ‘dead’ shall live as we proudly renew The Walking Dead for a third season on AMC and, globally, with our terrific partners at Fox International Channels. We are thankful for everyone’s contribution in front of and behind the camera as we continue to make The Walking Dead a unique television experience. And, we are so proud as it continues to set viewership records around the world.

Robert Kirkman‘s comic is still publishing monthly with really no end in sight, meaning the television show has tons of source material to pull from. ‘Course the show seems to be blazing its own path and isn’t trying to follow the comic. Especially with this latest episode, it’s like the timeline is compressing and some things are happening sooner and sooner, while other really, really important things haven’t happened at all. If you’ve read the books you know what I’m talking about. Why are they there already and why is he still alive?

Under new showrunner, Glen Mazzara with Kirkman, Gale Anne Hurd, David Alpert and Frank Darabont still on board as executive producers, The Walking Dead will hopefully be shambling across our television screen for years to come.

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